Form Fields In Merge Documents

[kyswisher]

Version: 2008
Operating System: Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)
Processor: Intel

I am developing a merge shell document set up as a form where the recipient will be able to fill-in the form fields (FORMTEXT) only. I can create the shell as a form, but when I merge my data into the forms, the text fill-in sections are lost. (except the check boxes)

Do you have a suggestion?

Thanks!

 

[CyberTaz]

I'm not sure what you mean by "lost". If you clarify in more detail exactly
how you're constructing the form as well as exactly *what's* happening
*when* perhaps there are some specific suggestions to be offered.

In general, though, what it sounds like you're trying to do works best I you
use Tables to segment the various areas of the document. Tables can be
formatted with No Fill/No Border so they're invisible in the doc but they
enable it to retain its structure.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[kyswisher]

I did try placing my form fill fields inside a table but received the same results. If you like, I could email you the original document as an attachment for your review.

Kyle S.

 

[macropod]

Hi Kyle,

You can't use mailmerge and formfields in the same document - the two are mutually exclusive and the formfields get deleted when you
run the merge. This is by design.

--
Cheers
macropod
[MVP - Microsoft Word]

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi macropod -

FORMTEXT fields, yes, but FORMCHECKBOX & FORMDROPDOWN are retained.

The resulting merge doc then needs to be locked as usual, but the fields
continue to work independently in each copy of the Form Letter/record. [At
least that's the case in Word 2008.] FORMTEXT fields can also be added to
the merge doc after doing the merge.

I don't know if that will help the OP or not.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Kyle -

That won't be necessary, but take a look at the reply from macropod as well
as my response. If you provide a detailed description of what you're trying
to achieve there may be other ways to approach it.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[Phillip Jones]

Question you and Pod. why is the lack of ability to use Merge fields
within a Form, considered a feature. Looks like being able to fill out
create multiple forms using Merge fields would be a Great Idea. sounds
like it would be a Time saver.

Hi Kyle -

That won't be necessary, but take a look at the reply from macropod as well
as my response. If you provide a detailed description of what you're trying
to achieve there may be other ways to approach it.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

--
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Phillip M. Jones, CET |LIFE MEMBER: VPEA ETA-I, NESDA, ISCET, Sterling
616 Liberty Street |Who's Who. PHONE:276-632-5045, FAX:276-632-0868
Martinsville Va 24112 |[email protected], ICQ11269732, AIM pjonescet
------------------------------------------------------------------------

If it's "fixed", don't "break it"!

mailto[email protected]

<http://www.kimbanet.com/~pjones/default.htm>
<http://www.kimbanet.com/~pjones/90th_Birthday/index.htm>
<http://www.kimbanet.com/~pjones/Fulcher/default.html>
<http://www.kimbanet.com/~pjones/Harris/default.htm>
<http://www.kimbanet.com/~pjones/Jones/default.htm>

<http://www.vpea.org>

 

[CyberTaz]

Hi Phillip -

Not being a programmer I'm afraid I haven't a clue :-} My guess would be
that there's some potential for conflict. Further, I would surmise that it's
never been a priority to resolve because those fields aren't intended to be
used in forms designed for electronic data collection on a mass scale.

PC Word provides another collection of tools on the Controls Toolbar for
that purpose. Those controls have never been available in the Mac version -
probably because there's no Mac equivalent of Access.

Perhaps macropod can provide more accurate insights.

Regards |:>)
Bob Jones
[MVP] Office:Mac

 

[kyswisher]

Sorry for ducking away for a few days. I am interested in pursuing this and any "work-around" you may envision.

Here's what I'm trying to do - I run a charitable organization that makes grants in support of various programs for various other organizations. In trying to evaluate the success of these programs I wanted to circulate a form-formatted Word attachment to the grant recipients, customized to the specific programs they are engaged in. For instance, if they are involved in programs "A", "B" & "D" (but not "C", then their evaluation form would include only questions on those programs they are associated with.

I like the form approach, because it provides some degree of consistency in replies and keeps the body of the survey intact.

And since I keep a simple excel spreadsheet that tracks the grant recipients' names, address, and program affiliations, the merge seemed like a good way to approach the mail merge.

So I want to customize the final mailed survey so it only reflects programs in questions according to the grant recipient, and have them complete a form document that they can return to me via email attachment.

I thought it would be simple, but as noted, the text fill form fields are rendered useless (but not the check box fields).

I suspect this is not an issue that can be resolved.

K. Swisher

 

[Peter Jamieson]

Microsoft published a macro many years ago to help in this case (I think) -
you can find a Word 2000 version at

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/211308/en-us

Obviously in Word 2008 you can't do it in VBA but if you can use Applescript
or whatever it may be worth trying.